To welcome requires an attitude of respect towards, and inclusion of children and other defenseless people.
"Grandpa, do you want to go to heaven with us one day?"
8-year old Lilly asks her grandfather, who doesn't go to church with them.
Very surprised, he responds with:
"Yes, please."
Right there, she leads him to the Lord.
The beauty of this story is that Lilly already understood at a young age that she was 'sent' to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
"And everyone who welcomes a little child like this one for My sake welcomes Me." Matt 18:5
The interaction with children therefore becomes a spiritual action.
How do we do this?
To welcome requires an attitude of respect towards, and inclusion of children and other defenseless people. Purposeful interaction, relationships, and conversation between three or four generations that indicates acceptance, belonging and communication.
"The inclusion of children and other socially excluded groups, becomes a spiritual act. Likewise, the exclusion of children also has spiritual consequences." (Rev. Dirk Coetsee and Dr Jan Grobbelaar, Petra Institute)
The interaction with children therefore becomes a spiritual action. How do we do this?
To welcome requires an attitude of respect towards, and inclusion of children and other defenseless people. Purposeful interaction, relationships, and conversation between three or four generations that indicates acceptance, belonging and communication.
Her grandfather, on the other hand, welcomed her invitation (and her) and treated her with respect. A deep relationship between generations was formed. In this contact, to welcome children means to behave like Jesus towards them (Matt 18:5).
His interaction with the children in this verse illustrates the honour and respect He showed towards the children. He also warned:
"Be careful that you do not despise one of these little ones".
Relationships are important to God because God the Father, Son and Spirit are in relationship and we are created in his image. Lilly and her grandfather's story is an example of relationships between people, especially between different age groups.
Children are our fellow disciples
All age groups from each other, learn other and grow together. The benefits of a true learning community include the fullness of life in Christ that is discovered together. Together we are pilgrims on a journey to Christian maturity.
Through he use of communication, courses, conferences and webinars, we teach congregations and communities to welcome children in the name of Jesus and grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Petra Institute works throughout South Africa and internationally within partnerships to offer consultation, insight and training (courses) to communities, churches, schools and organisations that want to build communities where children are welcome.
How we build communities where children are welcome
- Research (listen to our podcasts)
- Partnerships (international networks)
- Consultation (churches, schools and organisation)
- Training (partnership training courses and public courses)
Friends of Petra Institute
Petra Institute is a Non-Profit Company.
We have depended on God’s provision, donations and fundraising campaigns to keep us going since 1989.
For more information on how you can contribute and become part of the #FriendsOfPetraInstitute, please get in touch with Dr Sonia Swart (Coordinator: Support Partnerships) who will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Or visit or ‘Donations’ page to learn more.
